November 2012 News Release
24th Kitchener Scout Troop Gears up for Annual Christmas Tree Sales and trip to CJ’13
Friday, November 30th marks the beginning of the 20th Annual Christmas Tree fundraising event for the 24th Kitchener Scout Troop. Over 500 Fraser Fir, Balsam, White Spruce and Scotch Pine trees will arrive on November 27th at Canadian Tire on Victoria St. N. In a flurry of organized chaos, a team of Scouts, parents and adult volunteers will unload, unwrap, tag and set up the trees in preparation for daily sales that will continue until trees are sold out.
For 20 years, Canadian Tire (Victoria/Frederick) has partnered with the 24th Kitchener Scout Troop by generously providing a home for the tree sales to happen at no cost to the group. Scouter Jim Carse, Scout Master and coordinator of the tree project for over 10 years, says “We are incredibly fortunate to be in this relationship with Canadian Tire. It’s truly been invaluable to our Scouting group. We’ve worked with three store owners over the past 20 years, and every year, Canadian Tire welcomes us back with open arms. They give us space and hydro and we have the added benefit of being in a safe, visible location with plenty of parking.”
Everything about this fundraising event has become a labour of love for the Scouts. Each year, over 900 man hours are logged by the Scouts, parents and leaders in just four weeks. It takes real teamwork to ensure that everything happens when it should. “There’s a job for all of our Scouts and parents,” says Scouter Jim. “From setup, unloading, selling and cleanup to the equally important work in the background like marketing, garbage runs and bookwork. If they’re willing to help, we can put them to work.”
Setting aside all of the iGadgets of today, the youth anxiously stand in line at the back of the truck on delivery day, taking turns unloading trees, many of which are 1 ½ times their own height. Teamwork is key here, too, as it often takes two (or more) Scouts and adults to carry the bigger trees. Through this event, the Scouts learn to identify the different trees they sell, and how to care for them once they are sold. The Scouts take their role of salesperson to heart, doing their very best to help each customer select their own perfect Christmas tree.
All proceeds from the event go directly to the 24th Kitchener Scouting family and are vitally important to the group. “The money we raise every year (by selling Christmas trees) helps make Scouting more affordable for our 24th Kitchener youth. We’re able to subsidize camps and several annual events for our Beavers, Cub and Scout families,” says Scouter Jim. “This year, proceeds from our Christmas tree sales will be particularly important for our Scouts. All 14 Scouts in our troop, as well as our 6 leaders, will be attending the Canadian Jamboree next summer in Sylvan Lake, Alberta (CJ ’13). Because we have to add air fare to the cost of attending the Jamboree, every Scout and leader in our Troop has a pretty substantial fundraising goal. Tree sales will help us get there. ”
Jamborees bring together thousands of youth, leaders and volunteers for 8 days of the ultimate Scouting experience. Scouts share friendship and adventure while experiencing personal development that only a jamboree experience can bring. Canadian Jamborees typically happen once every four years, and the opportunity to attend is often once-in-a-lifetime for a Scout. Since 1977, members of 24th Kitchener have attended 8 Canadian Jamborees. This year’s Scouts look forward to being part of CJ’13.
To support Scouting and help send our Scouts to CJ’13, come visit us at Canadian Tire (Victoria/Frederick) weekday evenings (5:30 pm – 9:00 pm), Friday 1:30 pm – 9:00 pm, Saturday 9 am – 9 pm and Sunday 11 am – 7 pm beginning Friday, November 30. One of our Scouts will be happy to sell you the perfect Christmas tree. Let us become one of your family Christmas traditions! Thank you for understanding that tree sales are Cash only.
For more information on the 24th Kitchener Scouting family, our annual Christmas Tree fundraising event, and other ways to help send a Scout to CJ’13, visit our website http://24th.ca
Press Release Version Printer Friendly